Caio Canedo and Ali Saleh give UAE winning start in Fifa Arab Cup 2021

Al Ain striker opened the scoring midway through the first half before laying on assist for the second

UAE forward Caio Canedo celebrates with teammate Ali Saleh, after opening the scoring against Syria. Both were on target in the 2-1 win in UAE's opening Group B match of the Fifa Arab Cup 2021 at the Ras Abu Aboud Stadium in Doha on November 30, 2021. AFP

Syria midfielder Oliver Kawo dribbles past UAE forward Caio Canedo. AFP

UAE forward Caio Canedo celebrates. AFP

Syria players react to their defeat to UAE. AFP

UAE forward Caio Canedo runs with the ball. AFP

UAE forward Caio Canedo celebrates with teammates after scoring the opening goal at the Ras Abu Aboud Stadium in Doha. AFP

UAE forward Caio Canedo celebrates. AFP

UAE defender Mahmoud Khamis collides with Syria's Amro Jenyat. AFP

UAE defender Mahmoud Khamis is carried off the pitch after an injury . AFP

UAE forward Caio Canedo celebrates after scoring the first goal . AFP

Syria defender Diaa Al Mohammad marks UAE midfielder Tahnoon Al Zaabi. AFP

UAE defender Mohamad Al Attas vies for the ball with Syria's Mahmoud Al Baher. AFP

UAE midfielder Bandar Al Ahbabi is marked by Syria's defender Youssef Mohammad. AFP

UAE defender Mahmoud Khamis argues with Syria's players. AFP

UAE supporters celebrate their win. AFP

UAE coach Bert van Marwijk walks off the pitch following their win. AFP

UAE forward Ali Mabkhout passes the ball. AFP

Syria midfielder Ward Al Salama celebrates his goal with goalkeeper Ibrahim Alma. AFP

Syria's midfielder Ward Al Salama celebrates after scoring. AFP

Players pose for a group picture ahead of the FIFA Arab Cup 2021 Group B football match. AFP

Caio Canedo's strike midway through the first half set the UAE on their way to a 2-1 win over Syria in their opening match of the Fifa Arab Cup 2021 on Tuesday.

The Al Ain striker capped a man-of-the-match performance to score and assist Ali Saleh six minutes later.

A goal on the hour from Ward Al Salama set up a tense finish at the Ras Abu Aboud Stadium in Doha but Bert van Marwijk's side held out for three points to open their Group B account.

The result sees the national team in second place behind Tunisia who were 5-1 winners over Mauritania earlier Tuesday.

The top two teams from each of the four groups will progress to the knockout round.

The UAE next play Mauritania on Friday before taking on group favourites Tunisia three days later.

In Tuesday's other matches, hosts Qatar beat Bahrain 1-0 after Iraq were held to a draw by Oman in Group A.